California State Military Reserve | |
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Active | 1846–present |
Country | United States of America |
Allegiance | State of California |
Type | State defense force |
Role | Provide an adequately trained and organized State military reserve force under the exclusive control of the Governor |
Size | 1,500+ |
Part of | California Military Department |
Nickname(s) | CSMR |
Motto(s) | Always Ready, Always There |
Engagements |
Mexican–American War |
Website | http://www.calguard.ca.gov/CSMR |
Commanders | |
Commander-in-Chief | Governor of California Jerry Brown |
Commander | BG (CA) Frank D. Emanuel |
Command Sergeant Major | CSM (CA) Michael H. Winstead |
Mexican–American War
American Civil War
Indian Wars
Spanish–American War
World War I (home front)
The California State Military Reserve (CSMR) is the state defense force of California, and one of three branches of the Active Militia of the State. The military reserve was formed to provide California a trained and organized military force in the event of a state security emergency when the National Guard is deployed. Its current mission is articulated in CA Military & Veteran's Code § 550:
"... as the Governor may deem necessary to defend and for the security of this State ..."
For the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the CSMR had 1400 volunteers and its expenditures were USD 620,000.
The California State Military Reserve is authorized as a state defense force under the provisions of the Title 32, United States Code, Section 109(c) and the California State Military Reserve Act (codified in the California Military and Veterans Code). It is one of five components of the California Military Department and has legal standing as part of California's Active Militia.
The force consists of citizens or individuals who have begun their naturalization process, who possess a variety of skills, and many members are veterans of other branches of the United States Armed Forces as well as former members of the California Army and Air National Guard. All citizens over the age of 18 who are not felons and possess a high school diploma or GED are eligible to apply for membership, although military veterans and those with special skills which materially contribute to the CSMR's mission are preferred.
Members are considered uncompensated State employees, although when called to emergency State Active Duty, they become compensated employees at the same rate as National Guard members of the same rank.